GCREC New Member Guide

GCREC NEW

MEMBER GUIDE

303 North Park Avenue PO Box 39 Grundy Center, IA 50638 (319) 824-5251

! e m o c l We

Welcome to Grundy County REC! We are excited to have you as a valued member of our cooperative family. As a member-owned and communityfocused cooperative, our mission is to provide you with safe, reliable, and affordable electic service while also fostering engagement and participation among our members and giving back to the communities we serve.

We operate with you in mind; that means, as a cooperative, we are governed by members like you, ensuring that our focus remains on service rather than profit. Your membership means that you have a voice in how your cooperative is run, and we encourage you to take advantage of opportunities to get involved.

One way to participate is by attending our Annual Meeting, where you can hear updates on cooperative initiatives, vote on important issues, and even run for a position on our Board of Directors. This democratic process ensures that decisions are made with the best interests of our members in mind. Additionally, we host events like our Member Appreciation Event to connect with our members, show our gratitude, and strengthen the sense of community that makes our cooperative unique.

"Our cooperative is more than just a utility provider – we are a community dedicated to working together for the benefit of all.

Your participation and engagement help us continue to grow stronger and better serve your needs.” ~ General Manager Michael Geerdes To stay informed on important cooperative updates and news, programs, tips, and more, make sure to follow us on social media. Should you ever have questions, concerns, or suggestions, our team is here to assist you.

Your input helps shape the future of our cooperative, and we appreciate your engagement.

Once again, welcome! We look forward to serving you and working together to power a brighter future for our community.

Michael Geerdes General Manager

Kevin Pruisner Board President

Billing ~ Ways to Pay: ON THE GO AND IN CONTROL...

MANAGE YOUR ACCOUNT ANYTIME & ANYWHERE! IN-PERSON OR DROPBOX Payments can be made at the GCREC headquarters office or deposited in the secure dropbox at 303 North Park Avenue in Grundy Center.

PAY BY PHONE Our secure pay-by-phone option, 844-941-4397, is available 24/7. You will be required to setup a pin number your first time using. Card and ACH payments are accepted.

MAIL Mail check or money order to: Grundy County REC PO Box 39 Grundy Center, IA 50638

ONLINE

Pay your bills Set up Auto Payments

Visit SmartHub today to pay your bill online!

~ Simplify the Process:

Monitor your usage AUTO PAYMENT

Report outages Go paperless

Don’t want to worry about missing your payment? Setup auto payments! This can be done by contacting the office at 319-824-5251 or through SmartHub; recurring credit/debit cards and ACH bank draft options are available.

GO PAPERLESS!

....and more!

Register at: grundycountyrecia.smarthub.coop or download the mobile app

Save trees and cut out the paper clutter around the house by going paperless! You can do so through SmartHub or by contacting the office!

BUDGET BILLING Budget Billing is a great program that is designed to reduce the fluctuations of monthly billing accounts. A member is eligible to sign up for budget billing after 12 months of service with the cooperative and is available to all residential members. Accounts with budget billing are reevaluated in February and October to determine if a recalculated amount is necessary.

Understanding your bill 1

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CONTACT INFORMATION

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ACCOUNT SUMMARY

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GRAPH OF ELECTRIC USAGE VS TEMP

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DAILY READS

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MONTHLY READS

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PAYMENT STUB

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BILLING SUMMARY

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SERVICE ADDRESS

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METER READINGS

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ACCOUNT ACTIVITY

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BILLING DETAIL

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MESSAGE CENTER

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PAYMENT METHODS

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RETURN STUB FOR COMMENTS

Ways to contact Grundy County REC!

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The most important information regarding your bill is placed inside the circle at the top of your bill, including amount due and due date.

Accounts with past due will me marked with a red circle and red text.

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This graph shows your monthly usage over the past 13 months compared with th temperature. We recommend comparing your usage for the current period to the same period last year.

This information shows you the average daily cost and temperature breakdowns.

Your energy consumption compared to last month and same month last year.

If you are paying with check, please return this stub with your payment to ensure the payment is properly credited to your account.

This section provides the account balance. If there is a past due amount, it will be shown here.

This is where GCREC is providing service for this bill. This may be different than your mailing address.

Meter data associated with the current bill. It indicates your service type, meter number, and meter readings. THis is yoru actual energy usage and demand charge for the billing period. We measure in kilowatt hours. (kwh)

Any changes to your account since your last billing statement, including your most recent payment. If you have received a late fee, it will appear here.

A detailed listing of the charges on your bill.

This area displays messages related directly to your account or service and other messages from GCREC.

There are several convenient ways to pay your bill. Each is identified in this section.

If you have comments or questiosn for us, simply fill out this portion and return it with your payment and a GCREC employee will contact you. You can also update your contact information by filling out and returning this stub.

my power’s out-now what?

Our dedicated linemen stand ready to respond to any outage, 24/7/365—rain or shine, day or night—ensuring power is restored as quickly and safely as possible. While Mother Nature has a mind of her own, you can trust that when the lights go out, we’re ready to respond.

To Report an Outage: JUST A PHONE CALL AWAY! To report an outage by phone, call 319-824-5251. Our phones are answered 24/7/365 days a year!

SMARTHUB One of the many great benefits of SmartHub is members’ ability to report outages straight from the app or online at grundycountyrecia.smarthub.coop.

FACEBOOK Make sure to follow us on Facebook to stay current! During major outages, we’ll keep you plugged in with regular updates on restoration efforts and other important information. But remember, social media isn’t the brightest way to report an outage—give us a call or submit via SmartHub for the fastest response!

STATEWIDE OUTAGE MAP The Iowa REC Statewide Outage Map is a great tool to see information for not only GCREC, but Iowa Cooperatives, in realtime. Visit www.iowarec.org/outages.

Safety is our #1 priority!

LOOK UP & LIVE! Remember to always take a few moments to inspect your surroundings before raising or lowering any of your equipment!

If machinery makes contact with a power line, you could become electricity’s path to the ground Stay in the cab and call 9-1-1. They will dispatch us to de-energize the line.

Only exit the cab if your equipment is on fire.

Keeping feet together, hop away at least 50 feet

DOWNED LINE SAFETY Power lines can become damaged or fall due to storms, car accidents, or vandalism. If you see a damaged line, take these actions:

To report a safety concern, including trees encroaching on power lines, please don’t hesitate to give us a call!

Consider all power lines energized and deadly Call 9-1-1 and then the co-op at 319-824-5251 to report the downed line Do not get out of the vehicle or cab and don’t approach the scene and do not try to get close or move the line with another object

Erik Freese, Operations Manager efreese@grundycountyrecia.org 319-824-5251

PROGRAMS, PRODUCTS, & SERVICES

residential rebates HEATING & COOLING

TOUCHSTONE ENERGY HOME

GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMP: $1,000/ton plus a $50/unit bonus if installed with desuperheater

If you build a new home or extensively remodel your current home to high energy-efficiency standards, you may be eligible for an additional Touchstone Energy Home incentive.

GEO HP REPLACING GEO HP: $500/ton

OPTION 1 - STANDARDS CHECKLIST: $500 rebate when your home passes prescriptive construction checklist.

AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP: $500/ton - SEER 15+/SEER2 14.3+ $650/ton - SEER 15+/SEER2 14.3+ (with gas backup & load control agreement) MINI-SPLIT/HOTEL-TYPE DUCTLESS HEAT PUMPS: $500/ton - SEER 15+/SEER2 14.3+ AIR SOURCE OR GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMP COMPRESSOR REPLACEMENT: $100/ton

CONTROLLABLE RESISTANCE HEAT: $20/kW AIR SOURCE OR GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMP CHECKUP: $50/unit

OPTION 2 - HOME ENERGY RATING SCORE (HERS): $1,000 rebate for HERS score of 53 or lower as rated by an REC-approved home energy rater. REC member pays for rating.

ENERGY STAR APPLIANCES Unit must be new ENERGY STAR rated and installed at member’s location.

HEAT PUMP CLOTHES DRYER: $100 CLOTHES WASHER OR DRYER: $50 DISHWASHER, FREEZER, OR REFRIGERATOR: $25

INSULATION & WEATHERIZATION LIGHTING LED SECURITY LIGHTS: $15/fixture 40+ watts No more than 50% of cost

ELECTRIC VEHICLES ELECTRIC VEHICLE LEVEL 2 CHARGER: 50% of the charger price up to $500

INSULATION: Homes with electric heat 40% of materials cost up to $600 max./year Homes with non-electric heat & central AC 20% of materials cost up to $300 max./year Must increase ceiling to R49, wall to R19 or foundation to R10; radiant barriers not eligible.

WEATHERIZATION & DUCT INSULATION: Homes with electric heat 40% of materials cost up to $200 max./year Homes with non-electric heat & central AC 20% of materials cost up to $100 max./year Must increase ceiling to R49, wall to R19 or foundation to R10; radiant barriers not eligible.

Scan QR code with your device’s camera to access full rebate information online.

CONTACT ME TODAY! Brady Codner, Member Service Advisor bcodner@grundycountyrecia.org | 319-824-5251

programs & services Water Heater Discount Program Why spend as much as $1,600 at a big box store when you could purchase one from Grundy County REC at member only pricing!

Our top-rated Marathon water heaters come with a lifetime warranty. Marathon water heaters are durable, lightweight and warranted not to leak as long as you own your home. Available sizes include: 50, 85, and 105 gallon tanks.

Contact Brady Codner today! *Member must enroll in load control program.

Member pricing assumes all incentives/agreements and is not eligible for an additional rebate.

$400

+ TAX* FOR REPLACEMENT

OR

$150

+ TAX* FOR CONVERSION & NEW CONSTRUCTION

Yard Light Program

Complementary Energy Audit

Grundy County REC offers a Yard Light Maintenance Program. We will provide a 50-watt LED light, and take care of all maintenance, repairs, and replacements.

A free walk-through home energy audit is available to all Grundy County REC members. This audit will provide an inspection of insulation, doors and windows, furnace, appliances, and lighting. Member Services Advisor, Brady Codner will complete the inspection, and provide you with recommendations to improve your home's energy efficiency.

The costs are: $4.50/month- each metered light. $15.75/month- each unmetered light.

ABOUT GRUNDY COUNTY REC

Out of the Darkness

Charlie Weakland Farm The first home energized by GCREC on March 24, 1938

Rural Electrification Act of 1936 which provided official status to the REA as a lending agency to serve rural areas.

With federal financing ready to go, REA representatives traveled across the country to help rural citizens band together to form not-for-profit electric cooperatives in order to bring affordable, reliable electricity to their homesteads. By 1950, 80% of farms in America has access to electricity, and the percentage increased to 99% by 1960. Truth be told, nothing has improved the lives of rural Americans like electrification.

100 years ago, before electric cooperatives existed, there was an electric divide in America. 9 out of 10 city and town dwellers had access to electricity in the 1920s while 9 out of 10 rural citizens were left in the dark.

Iowa’s electric cooperatives have a proud legacy that goes back generations. We have been owned by our members since the beginning, making us truly democratic organizations that are locally owned and governed.

Life on the farm was difficult without electricity; there was no indoor plumbing or reliable refrigeration. Cooking, lighting, and heating homes without electricity was dangerous and inefficient.

Household chores and farm work were laborious and time consuming.

The investor-owned utilities at that time didn’t see the return on investment to build out miles of power lines and infrastructure to only reach a few farms. But a bright light was coming.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt believed that if private enterprise could not supply electricity to the people, then it was the duty of the government to do so. He created the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) in 1935 as part of the New Deal and the

The First Cooperative Board of Directors and General Manager

In the 1930s, only 10% of rural Iowans had access to electricity. By 1960, that number increased to 99%.

About the cooperative Created by the membership, for the membership GCREC maintains 937 miles of power lines: That’s approximately

13,743 football fields!

12 Employees

7 Directors Represent 7 Districts 1,885 Members

2,221 Meters

Portions of 6 counties served 103,238,508 kWh Sold in 2024 99.9734% Reliability Rating in 2024

Grundy County REC earns this award based on data modeled by the ACSI® in 2025. Award criteria are determined by the ACSI based on customers rating their satisfaction with GCREC in a survey independent of the syndicated ACSI Energy Utility Study. For more about the ACSI, visit www.theacsi.org/badges. ACSI and its logo are registered trademarks of the American Customer Satisfaction Index LLC.

UNDERSTANDING THE 7 COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES! Cooperatives around the world operate according to the same core principles and values, adopted by the international Co-operative Alliance.

These principles are a key reason why America’s electric cooperatives operate differently from other electric utilities, putting the needs of the members first.

wholesale power mix Delivering reliable & sustainable power Grundy County REC’s generation and transmission provider, Corn Belt Power Cooperative, is committed to delivering the reliable, affordable, and sustainable power our members not only depend on, but deserve.

Their “all-of-the-above” approach to energy generation ensures we have an adequate power supply for today, while also working towards a cleaner energy future.

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Solar 0.55%

Oil/Diesel/Jet Fuel 0..02%

Na‌ t‌ u‌ r‌ a‌ 9.0 l‌‌‌G 4%‌ a‌ ‌

This information does not allow any cooperative member to claim environmental attributes of power supply since some renewable energy certificates are sold to improve the economics of the renewable generation. For more information, contact Ryan Cornelius, Vice President, corporate relations, Corn Belt Power Cooperative, 1300 13th St. North, Humboldt, IA 50548, (515) 332-7726; ryan.cornelius@cbpower.coop

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Corn Belt Power Cooperative is based in Humboldt, IA and provides wholesale electrical requirements for 10 rural electric co-ops and associations.

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cooperative difference

PATRONAGE

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

As a member-owner, you have an economic interest in the health of the coopertive. Unlike investorowned utilities that distribute their profits to shareholders in the form of dividends, when Grundy County REC’s revenues exceed our expenses, we return that money in the form of patronage capital

Grundy County REC is committed to improving the communities we serve. Through our economic development programs, we’re working to attract new businesses and helping existing businesses to grow.

If applicable, current members will receive their patronage in the form of a bill credit, whereas members who have moved off of our line will receive a paper check.

The cooperative allocates (assigns) patronage annually, in April, for the previous calendar year based on the cooperative’s financial performance.

Patronage retirement (payment issued) occurs on the bill you receive in December each year. You may not see patronage returns your first few years, depending on what was approved by the board of directors.

Our utility-sponsored Revolving Loan Fund and the ability to facilitate pass-through loans from the USDA’s Rural Economic Development Grants and Loans program, allows us to invest in the communities we serve.

PHILANTHROPY Giving back to the communities where we live and serve is something near and dear to GCREC. Whether it be through the cooperative or on their own, the cooperative’s staff and directors enjoy being able to give back!

board of directors 100 years of experience serving you!

The directors of GCREC are members, just like you! They have a desire to serve and have valuable knowledge and experience in the electrical industry. With a combined tenure of nearly 100 years, you can trust that your cooperative is governed by a strong and educated board.

There’s nothing more rewarding than talking with a member about how Grundy County REC powers their daily life with reliable service. Our members deserve comfort and peace of mind, never having to worry about their electricity or their provider. Being a dedicated director means prioritizing the needs of our members, and all great directors share this commitment for the good of the cooperative.

- Larry Rohach, Director

I chose to get more involved with my local electric co-op because I like giving back. Grundy County REC does an excellent job keeping my lights on reliably, safely, and affordably; the least I can do for the members is serve on this board to ensure that the co-op continues to serve the membership the way they deserve!

– Matt Kopriva, Board Secretary

democratic control Members have a voice in their cooperative!

One of the things that sets RECs apart from your typical electric utility is that we are owned, and governed, by you - our members! That means that you have a say in how the cooperative is run and who is elected to represent you.

Each year Grundy County REC members meet for our Annual Meeting of the Members, which is typically held on the first Thursday evening in September at the cooperative’s office, following Labor Day. This is more than just your typical business meeting, it’s a chance to engage with our members and have transparency regarding the status of the cooperative; dinner, dessert, and a chance to win some great prizes are also a part of Grundy County REC’s Annual Meeting!

COMMUNITY & MEMBER DRIVEN

mEMBER APPRECIATION

Engaging with the membership!

Annually, Grundy County REC holds a member appreciation event, typically in August. This event is open to all members, and it gives us the opportunity to celebrate and engage with our membership. This is a family-friendly event with catered dinner, dessert, activities, prizes, and more! Watch out for more details.

We hope to see you there!

STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES Hello From Youth Tour!

Each year in June, Grundy County REC sponsors one high school sophomore, junior, or senior to attend the Youth Tour in our nation’s capital. This is an all-expensepaid trip that students will never forget!

Students on the tour learn about electric cooperatives, American history and U.S. government. They also have the opportunity to visit with their representatives in the House and the Senate and tour popular destinations around Washington, DC!

Scholarship Program

EMPOWERING OUR STUDENTS

Each year, we are honored to support the academic dreams of outstanding local students who demonstrate academic excellence and a strong commitment to their communities through our scholarship program. As a member-owned cooperative, we believe in supporting the next generation, and we’re proud to help these students take the next step in their academic journeys.

PROUDLY

POWERING YOU WWW.GRUNDYCOUNTYRECIA.ORG